Headliners

Florida - The game

October 6, 1991|By Mike Dame of The Sentinel Staff

They call the stadium ''Death Valley'' on the LSU campus, but over the last three years the intimidating venue has lost its bite - LSU is a meager 8-6 at home in that span. First-year coach Curley Hallman said it will take time for Tiger Stadium to regain its luster. ''It is a special place,'' he said. ''You don't re-create something overnight. Someday, it will be back like it used to be, but it's got to happen on the field first before the overall atmosphere of Tiger Stadium is re-created. And it starts right here with Curley Hallman and these players.''

To give you an idea of Tiger Stadium's slide, bookmakers established a 22 1/2-point spread in favor of Florida for Saturday's game - the largest spread for a visitor in the 67-year history of Tiger Stadium. The previous high was 14, when defending national champion Alabama visited Baton Rouge in 1979. The Crimson Tide won that game, 3-0.

Over the last two decades, LSU and Florida quarterbacks have posted unusually prolific numbers. In fact, the top five passers in Southeastern Conference history played at one of the two schools. In order, they are LSU's Tommy Hodson (9,115 career yards), UF's Kerwin Bell (7,585), UF's John Reaves (7,549), UF's Wayne Peace (7,206) and LSU's Jeff Wickersham (6,921). Current UF quarterback Shane Matthews, a junior who had 4,144 career yards entering the game, is on pace to join that quintet.

Not only have the schools produced great passers, but three of the top four receivers also have come from the schools. Following Vanderbilt's Boo Mitchell (2,964 career yards), they are LSU's Wendell Davis (2,708), LSU's Eric Martin (2,625) and UF's Carlos Alvarez (2,563).

Florida's last visit to Tiger Stadium, in 1989, marked Galen Hall's last as the Gators' coach. Kicker Arden Czyzewski, now a senior, booted a 41-yarder as time ran out to give UF a 16-13 victory. Hall was forced to resign the next day for his role in NCAA rules violations.

Bill Arnsparger, UF's athletic director since 1987, made his collegiate head coaching debut at LSU in 1984 against Florida, a 21-21 tie at Gainesville. Arnsparger coached at LSU from 1984 through '86 and finished with a 26-8-2 mark, winning the SEC championship in '86.

Starting defensive end Mike Brandon will undergo an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test today on his right leg. He left the game in the second quarter.

Florida's oldest living letterman, Rex Farrior of Tampa, turned 95 Saturday. He was captain of the 1916 team.

LSU basketball center Shaquille O'Neal was presented the World Amateur Athlete of the Year award before the game. He watched the game from the Tigers' sideline.

Minutiae: Entering the game, LSU had turned the ball over nine times in three games, and UF's defense had forced 14 in four games that led to 53 points. . . . LSU defensive coordinator Mike Bugar coached UF's defensive line from 1980 through '82. . . . The Gators were eighth in the SEC in penalty yards against at 62.25 yards per game. . . . LSU has signed at least one player from the state of Florida in 14 of the last 16 years. There are six on the current roster. . . . According to figures released this week by the SEC, 135 former SEC players were on NFL opening-day rosters.